DENVER—Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C. is ready to unveil its new smart crimper technology, which it dubs the GC20 with Gates Cortex Intelligence.
The Denver-based manufacturer and supplier of hose and belting products and related goods said the GC20 Cortex "takes the guesswork out of hose assembly fabrication" as it features touch-screen controls, on-board training, integrated eCrimp setting and remote support, according to a company news release.
Mike Haen, vice president of global product line management said the patent-pending smart crimper represents the continuation of the digital revolution for his company. "Our digital strategy is to develop and launch (Internet of Things) solutions that provide tangible benefit for the next generation of customers and align with Industry 4.0."
The GC20 Cortex is an upgrade to the Gates Power Crimp 707 crimper, with the new offering retaining all of the capabilities of the PC707 but adding technology aimed at making crimper operations safer. Cindy Cookson, Gates global product line director for hydraulics, said there are several ways in which the GC20 Cortex improves safety, including the on-board training feature and automated calibration.
Haen said there are tens of thousand of PC707 crimpers in use across North America, and a retrofit kit is available to upgrade the existing units to GC20 Cortex crimpers.
Gates will launch the GC 20 in the U.S. and Canada during the fourth quarter and is accepting pre-orders. It will be displaying the smart crimper at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas Nov. 5-7.